Shawano Leader News

DA says no criminal charges warrantedBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A video that surfaced this week purporting to show alleged mistreatment of animals at a Shawano County dairy farm has gained national attention, along with criticism over how authorities have responded to the incident.

Locally, however, there are still lingering questions about what the video actually shows and whether it constitutes animal abuse or common dairy farming practices that seem abusive to the outside observer.

The video was made in August by Los Angeles-based Mercy for Animals, which secretly videotaped operations at the Alan Andrus farm in Birnamwood.

The video was turned over to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the incidents and referred the matter to the Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney’s Office.

The district attorney’s office declined to file any criminal charges, based largely on comments from veterinarians who viewed the video, according to sheriff’s detectives investigating the incidents.

“The actions of the employees caught on video do not amount to a situation where criminal charges are warranted based upon the review of local and state vets,” Assistant District Attorney Scott Niemi wrote in a notice of non-prosecution that was returned to the sheriff’s department.

At the same time, however, Niemi recommended in his notice that Andrus be informed of the issues at his farm.

“I would also inform him that he can fire or retrain his employees but his farm will be inspected by someone at some time in the future and any abuse noted will be attributed to him as he has been warned of the issues,” Niemi wrote.

Niemi also wrote that Andrus could start forfeiture actions against any of his employees involved.

The Andrus family issued a statement saying it was shocked to learn what was going on.

“No one in our family was aware of such conduct occurring on our farm,” the statement read. “We don’t condone this kind of behavior and have immediately begun to work with our farm veterinarians and dairy industry resources to access and implement training and enforcement mechanisms to address proper animal handling with our workforce.”

The district attorney’s office has fielded a steady stream of calls from media and other sources nationwide over that decision for the last two days. The office is declining any comment beyond providing the non-prosecution letter.

The video — or at least edited snippets of it — has been getting ample airplay on area TV news media, provoking an emotional response even from those familiar with dairy farm operations.

“I cried when I saw it,” Shawano County dairy farmer Deb Mielke said.

Mielke is president of the Shawano County Farm Bureau, but said her comments reflected only her views and not the position of the Farm Bureau.

“Animals are our life,” she said. “I don’t like to see them going through that.”

But at the same time, Mielke said, there was nothing she saw in the broadcast video that didn’t conform with standard dairy farm operating procedures. She also noted that the veterinarians contacted by the sheriff’s department didn’t view any of the activity as criminal.

Mielke said dairy farmers often have to resort to measures that “don’t look humane” when dealing with a 1,200-pound animal.

That could include the use of machinery and sticks to get a downed cow up and moving again, she said.

Mielke said the video she saw didn’t make the context of the incidents clear, or whether farm employees abused correct operating procedures.

“(The video) could have been doctored,” she said.

Mielke, who said she is not familiar with operations at the Andrus farm, said most dairy operators try to treat their cows as humanely as possible.

“We do anything we can so they’re comfortable and happy,” she said. “If they’re under stress, they will not eat, they will not milk.”

Mielke said one can tell whether cows are contented by visiting a properly-run dairy farm and listening to how quiet it is.

“If they’re not being treated humanely, you know,” she said.

Mielke said even the use of sticks is done sparingly.

“Sticks stress them out,” she said. “We try to do the best we can.”

The video also purports to show cows’ tails being cut off, but, Mielke said, it was unclear whether that was a later stage of the common practice of “tail docking,” in which the blood supply to the tail is cut off with a band — usually when the cow is still a calf — and the tail falls off on its own.

Mielke said she was initially against that practice until she tried milking a cow in the parlor.

“The manure was flying all over,” she said.

Similar animal abuse allegations surfaced earlier this year after Mercy for Animals released a video of operations secretly recorded at a Brown County dairy farm, though in that case charges of animal abuse were filed against four farm workers.

Mielke said there have been discussions with other area dairy farmers since then on making sure there is more training and a better understanding of operating procedures for those working on dairy farms, but also more outreach and education for the public about why those operating practices are necessary.

“Everything is perception,” she said. “Hopefully we can turn this around.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 5 (1 vote)

Recall election a first for ClintonvilleBy: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

For the first time in Clintonville, a recall election will be held Tuesday for an alderman.

Alderman Greg Rose was elected to his District 4 seat in April 2013, defeating Lois Bressette 84-77. The two will square off again Tuesday after a recall petition led by resident William VanDaalwyk gathered enough signatures to force the recall vote.

The polling place at City Hall will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

VanDaalwyk said Rose’s actions have proved to be hostile to business and industry in Clintonville, and have incited divisiveness within the community. He also said Rose breached his fiduciary duty by voting to replace a competent municipal attorney with an inexperienced relative of two council members.

The recall effort coincided with the council’s decision to suspend then-City Administrator Lisa Kotter for unspecified allegations of misconduct. Kotter resigned Sept. 10. She and the city issued a news release saying her departure was not based on any misconduct but rather on “philosophical and stylistic differences.”

The city will continue paying Kotter through May 15, 2015, and through August had spent more than $17,000 on legal fees for the investigation and subsequent negotiations with Kotter.

Rose has said that he has voted for every business incentive item that came to a vote.

VanDaalwyk launched the recall effort against Rose in July. The campaign collected 87 signatures; 56 were required.

The Common Council voted 4-2 Sept. 30 not to accept the certification of sufficiency issued Sept. 22 by City Clerk Peggy Johnson for the recall election.

No council members disputed the validity of the recall petition, but some said they did not think it was warranted.

Two days later, however, the state Government Accountability Board ordered the council “to promptly convene to call the recall election,” which it did on Oct. 7 with a unanimous vote.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Nov. 12

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at the Shawano Cinema, 1494 E. Green Bay St.

Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1100 block of South Lafayette Street.

Juvenile — Police logged eight truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 600 block of East Schurz Street.

Disturbance — A 28-year-old man was arrested on charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct after a disturbance in the 700 block of South Franklin Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Nov. 12

Deputies logged 42 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on County Road Y in Belle Plaine.

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 29 in Maple Grove.

Fire — Authorities responded to a chimney fire on County Road N in Birnamwood.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities logged nine accidents, including six deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Nov. 12

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on South Main Street.

OAR — A driver was cited for operating after revocation on East Greentree Road.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

An election for a local Farm Service Agency county committee is underway.

The committee’s administrative area covers the townships of Almon, Aniwa, Bartleme, Birnamwood, Fairbanks, Germania, Hutchins, Morris and Wittenberg. It also includes the Stockbridge-Munsee Community; therefore, all tribal members are also eligible to vote.

Cheryl Bergold, FSA county executive director, said voters will be electing a representative to serve a three-year term on the committee. The seat is held by Jeff Long, of Wittenberg, who is completing a three-year term and is eligible to serve another term. He is the sole nominee for the position.

Ballots have been mailed to all eligible voters. These ballots must be completed, signed and returned to the FSA county office or postmarked by Dec. 1 to be counted, Bergold said. She also reminded voters to sign their ballots. Without a valid signature, the vote cannot be counted.

The FSA county committee system gives local farmers and landowners a say in how the federal farm programs are administered at the local level. For more information, or if you did not receive a ballot, call the FSA office at 715-524-4814, ext. 2.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Concerns raised about time for public inputBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

People interested in reviewing a proposed rewrite of the city’s zoning code have more time to do that after the Shawano Common Council voted Wednesday to delay action on the item.

The Plan Commission recommended approval of the new code, but some concerns were raised about whether the public had enough time for input.

About half a dozen people attended the commission’s public hearing Wednesday; about the same number who attended an open house last month.

Three people spoke, mainly with questions about how residential properties would be buffered from commercial development and what effect the proposed new landscaping requirements would have on getting financing for projects.

But one speaker, Anthony Zielinski, questioned why the city needs to replace a roughly 60-page zoning code with one that’s well over 200 pages.

“Why are we coming out with something that seems to be very complicated?” he said.

Mike Slavney, of consulting firm Vandewalle and Associates, said the new code goes into greater detail, laying out procedures for such things as permits and variances, and has more graphics than the existing code.

Slavney said the additional detail in the code would save the city the cost of additional staff.

“It’s like having a city planner on staff without having to pay one,” he said.

The commission voted 7-1 to recommend the code for adoption to the Common Council. Mayor Lorna Marquardt, who normally chairs the commission, was not present.

Commission member Dave Passel cast the sole no vote, saying more time was needed to review the code.

Realtor Terry Hilgenberg, who did not speak at the public hearing, instead voiced his concerns to the Common Council, which convened after the Plan Commission meeting.

Hilgenberg said he hasn’t reviewed the code and isn’t necessarily opposed to it.

“I’m opposed to how it’s being ram-rodded through this community without public input,” he said.

Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz noted that two council members and the mayor were absent, and suggested the issue could be postponed.

“It would be prudent for us to hold it over,” he said.

The council voted 4-0 to place the item on its December agenda.

The proposed code would replace the one that has been in effect for 31 years.

It would put a premium on landscaping for any new development, setting a score that proposed developments would have to meet. They would get points toward the score for various types of landscaping included in the site plan.

The requirement would only apply to new development and to those portions of existing properties that are significantly remodeled or expanded.

The new code would toss the “legal nonconforming” designation for properties that don’t fit in with the zoning in their neighborhoods.

The code would reserve its most rigid requirements for downtown Shawano, which under the proposed new zoning map would run from the 100 block of North Main Street to Presbyterian Street on the south and would promote two-story storefront buildings with no setback from the sidewalk.

Any proposed renovations, designs or projects in that area would be closely scrutinized by the city, down to which storefront colors would be appropriate.

The code was last adopted in October 1983. Though it has been frequently amended, this is the first complete overhaul in 31 years.

The city budgeted $50,000 for the project.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

By: 

The Associated Press

The state Legislature’s budget committee has approved expanding Wisconsin’s popular Family Care program to Shawano County and six other northeastern counties.

Family Care offers a variety of in-home programs through Medicaid for long-term care for the disabled and elderly, helping to keep them out of nursing homes.

The Joint Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to pay for expanding the program to Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Menominee, Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties between March and June. About 4,000 people in those counties are expected to qualify.

The program is operating in 57 counties and serves about 48,000 people.

Gov. Scott Walker imposed a Family Care enrollment cap in 2011, but the federal government ordered him to remove that lid in December 2014. Walker announced at the time he wanted to expand the program statewide.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Nov. 11

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious - Police investigated a suspicious person complaint in the 400 block of West Picnic Street.

Parking - Police logged a complaint of unauthorized parking at the Cash Store, 1225 E. Green Bay St.

Warrant - Police attempted to serve a warrant to a woman at the Wisconsin House Inn, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Shoplifting - Police responded to a report of shoplifting by a man and woman at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St. An additional report was made while police were at the scene.

Warrant - Police took a 48-year-old man into custody on a probation and parole warrant.

Juvenile - Police assisted Menominee Tribal Police in locating a female runaway in the 900 block of South Lutz Street.

Suspicious - Police investigated an incident involving three people throwing snowballs at a residence in the 100 block of East Maurer Street.

Suspicious - Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at Shawano Cinema, 1494 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Nov. 11

Deputies logged 50 incidents, including the following:

Transport - Authorities transported a 33-year-old woman from the 400 block of Main Street to Taycheedah Correctional Institute.

Theft - Tools were reported stolen in the 100 block of East Railroad Street in Bowler.

Suspicious - Authorities responded to a report of suspicious phone calls on Pine Ridge Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Trespassing - A complaint of trespassing was made on Mielke Road in the town of Grant.

Harassment - Authorities investigated harassment involving juveniles on Country Lane in Washington.

Harassment - Andrus Farms of Wittenberg reported multiple issues of harassment related to animal neglect and abuse allegations.

Suspicious - Authorities responded to a suspicious person at Shore West Motel Resort, N5963 Lake Drive, Wescott.

Disorderly - Two men were reported fighting inside a cell at the Shawano County Jail, 405 E. Main St., Shawano.

Weather - Authorities logged 15 weather-related accidents and nine deer-related accidents.

Clintonville Police Department

Nov. 11

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Burglary - A burglary was reported on East Green Tree Road.

Disruptive - Police responded to a disruptive student at Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School, 105 S. Clinton Ave.

Harassment - Police issued disorderly conduct citations to two students at Clintonville Middle School, 25 Eighth St.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Schools develop positive living programBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Shawano School District Superintendent Gary Cumberland presents Shawano Community High School student Teagan Monfils with the first Hawk Way award during the Shawano School Board meeting Nov. 3. The district plans to present the award on a monthly basis to a student or staff member who goes above and beyond in creating a positive school atmosphere.

When Teagan Monfils stopped during the WIAA Division 1 sectional cross-country meet to help a fallen runner two weeks ago, she ran afoul of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association rules and was disqualified.

Shawano School District officials, however, wish all their students showed the caring and kindness that Monfils exhibited when she helped D.C. Everest’s Jordan Ostrowski in the final stretch of the race.

In honor of Monfils’ kindness, district officials last week presented her with the inaugural Hawk Way award.

“The Hawk Way started in the elementary schools as part of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, but it was strictly working with behavior,” said Gary Cumberland, district superintendent. “In my second year here as superintendent, I wanted to try and create something as a district that we could have a focus on.”

Cumberland said all the schools had behavior recognition programs, but they varied at each building. He wanted something that was not only seamless going from one school to the next, but also addressed excellence in academics in addition to good citizenship.

“I wanted it to be about just being a good person,” Cumberland said.

Developing the districtwide program also provided an opportunity to brand the district. A logo with a hawk and a large S was created and is being placed in various locations at the schools. The logo features the slogan “Learning, Living, Leading the Hawk Way.”

“To me, the Hawk Way is a vision. We’re a wannabe. We’re not there,” Cumberland said.

To get there, Cumberland wants to create a positive atmosphere in the schools. When students and staff focus on the negative, it keeps them from moving forward with learning, he said, and he hopes the positive energy will spill out of the schools and into the community.

Cumberland also sees the Hawk Way as a way to help staff members understand the district’s goals. He noted that he used to go into buildings and ask them about the district’s mission statement, and some knew it while others did not.

As part of the program, the district plans to each month honor a student or staff member who exemplifies living in a positive way. The award was still in the planning stages when Monfils gained national attention with her sportsmanship, and it was decided she should get the first award.

“She definitely went above and beyond what would be the expectations,” said Cumberland, who presented Monfils with the award Nov. 3 in front of the Shawano School Board. “Maybe it’s telling me we’re on the right path. She shows the ultimate in sportsmanship.”

Cumberland also said the award will help spread positive news about what’s happening the schools. Much of the publicity that schools get is negative, he said.

“Bad things have happened here in the schools, but at the end of the day, if nine good things happened and one bad thing, the focus always goes to the one bad thing,” Cumberland said. “We’ve got to get out more about the nine good things.”
story created on Thursday 11/6/2014 at 8:11:59 am by Lee Pulaski

FYI

The main tenets of The Hawk Way:

• Be respectful: Take pride in your work. Share your positive energy. Be a great listener.

• Be responsible: Show integrity. Model good behaviors. Be open to critical conversations. Be an inspiration.

• Be safe: Take care of yourself and others. Be reflective. Foster positive relationships.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Heffernon ending 25 years with departmentBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawano Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon announced his retirement Tuesday after 25 years with the department and nearly three decades in law enforcement.

His official retirement date is Jan. 10, but he will be taking vacation and compensatory time he has accrued prior to that, so the exact departure date was uncertain.

“Twenty-nine years with a badge and a gun is a long time,” Heffernon said.

Heffernon said the time was right not so much for retirement as for a transition to “something less taxing.”

He said he’d like to return to substitute teaching, which he’s done in the past.

“I thoroughly enjoyed that,” he said.

Heffernon and his wife, Deb, moved to Shawano in 1986 and have been active in the community since then.

“I’ll continue to do that,” he said.

The couple have two adult children, Holly and Scott. Holly has followed in Heffernon’s footsteps and is a sheriff’s deputy with a northern Wisconsin county. Scott is serving with the U.S. Army.

As for whatever lies beyond the Shawano Police Department, Heffernon said, “I’ll see where life takes me.”

Heffernon was a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy before he started with the department in May 1989 as a patrol officer.

He served as a school resource officer in the Shawano School District from 2001-2002, when he was promoted to lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in 2007.

“Jeff will be deeply missed by his co-workers and those individuals he has had a positive influence over,” Chief Mark Kohl said.

In addition to police duties, Heffernon has served on numerous committees, including the Shawano County Highway Safety Committee, Sexual Predator Ordinance Committee, Shawano Schools Safety Committee and the Shawano County Child Death Review Team.

Recent department activity includes helping introduce the community to ALICE, a school safety response system; managing the transition from paper citations and crash reports to the computerized TRACS program; overseeing the squad computer program and the transition from paper work schedule to a web-based digital calendar for the patrol staff; managing the transition to the web-based, state training database; and review all criminal cases prior to referral to the district attorney’s office and Department of Social Services.

Heffernon’s is one of two vacancies the department will have to fill next year. Officer Adam Bieber was elected Nov. 4 as Shawano County sheriff.

The Shawano Police and Fire Commission will meet in mid-December to address staffing vacancies.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Deer rut, freezing temps add to hazardsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

It usually takes at least one winter storm for Shawano County motorists to adjust to winter driving, according to authorities, but this week’s early snowfall seemed to catch most motorists by surprise.

The Sheriff’s Department logged 42 accidents during Monday’s snowfall, and another 13 by Tuesday afternoon when the second wave of snow fell.

“It’s typical,” Capt. Tom Tuma said. “We see this every year. It always takes time to get acclimated to winter driving.”

The western end of the county got the brunt of the snowfall, with lighter accumulation on the eastern end.

Most of the accidents were minor, with vehicles sliding into ditches and medians, but at least three accidents on Monday resulted in injuries, including a rollover accident on County Road D in Pella.

The driver in that incident was assisted by a Shawano County Highway Department plow driver who was in the area removing snow at the time.

Elsewhere, the snow was being blamed for a Clintonville School District bus that went off the road Monday morning.

Authorities said four kindergartners, one high school student, the driver and an aide were on board when the bus slipped off a county highway and overturned. The accident happened about 7 a.m. Monday near Bear Creek.

The driver and aide were taken to a New London hospital to be evaluated. The students, who were wearing seat belts, were not injured, according to authorities.

It didn’t help that the storms came at the height of the deer rutting season, when frisky deer are roaming about looking to mate and often end up caught in someone’s headlights. The rut is expected to last at least through the end of the month.

“We’re in the middle of the rut, so we’ve got a couple of things going on,” Tuma said.

Authorities logged at least eight crashes involving deer during the snowstorm. There were 20 deer-related crashes reported the day before the snow started to fall.

Tuma warned that motorists shouldn’t get complacent just because the snow has stopped falling.

Temperatures for the next week are forecast to remain below freezing, which will mean pockets of ice, particularly in the areas of bridges and overpasses.

“Drivers need to be alert to the temperature, slow down and use caution,” Tuma said.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Nov. 10

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responding to a suspicious person complaint in the 700 block of South Franklin Street cited a 37-year-old Keshena man for disorderly conduct.

Disturbance — A male subject was taken into custody on a probation and parole warrant after police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of South Andrews Street.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at County Road B and Waukechon Street.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Green Bay and Lafayette streets.

Shoplifting — Dairy Queen, 1005 E. Green Bay St., reported the theft of a cake.

Theft — A snowblower was reported stolen in the 200 block of East Center Street.

Nov. 9

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at Lincoln and Randall streets.

Warrant — A 52-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 1200 block of South Main Street.

Shoplifting — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Disturbance — A 27-year-old Shawano man was taken into custody for a probation and parole violation after police responded to a fight in the 700 block of West Richmond Street.

Nov. 8

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Washington Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of South Franklin Street.

Shoplifting — Qualheim’s True Value, 1345 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Shoplifting — JC Penney, 128 Woodlawn Drive, reported a shoplifting incident.

Arrest — A 36-year-old Shawano woman was arrested for a restraining order violation after a complaint in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 400 block of South Washington Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Nov. 7

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — An attempted burglary was reported in the 300 block of West Richmond Street.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Elizabeth and Main streets.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Green Bay and Main streets.

Juvenile — Police logged a truancy complaint from Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 100 block of East Randall Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Nov. 10

Deputies logged 85 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bowler School, 500 S. Almon St.

Vandalism — A mailbox was reported damaged on Broder Road in Wescott.

Fraud — Authorities investigated an identity theft complaint in the 100 block of North Andrews Street in Shawano.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.

Accidents — Authorities logged 42 accidents, including three injury accidents and seven deer-related crashes.

Nov. 9

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A woman was taken into custody on a warrant on County Road Y in Belle Plaine.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Westgor Avenue in Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to an intoxicated person complaint on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities logged 20 deer-related crashes.

Nov. 8

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on Willow Creek Road in the town of Herman.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Park Avenue in Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person vehicle complaint on Old Lake Road in Wescott.

Hit and Run — A 33-year-old Keshena man was cited for operating after revocation after a property damage hit-and-run on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Shoplifting — Deputies assisted Shawano police with a shoplifting incident at JC Penney, 128 Woodlawn Drive.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Golfview Road in Cecil.

Accidents — Authorities logged 11 deer-related crashes.

Nov. 7

Deputies logged 54 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on state Highway 29 in the town of Herman.

Assault — A sexual assault in Green Valley was under investigation.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Peach Road in Richmond.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Cattau Beach Drive in Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Cypress Road in Richmond.

OWI — A 51-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after an accident on Hillcrest Drive in the town of Washington.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lessor-Navarino Road in Lessor.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person vehicle complaint on Mader Street in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged 15 deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Nov. 10

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Main Street and County Road I.

Assault — A sexual assault complaint was under investigation.

Harassment — A harassment complaint was reported on Hemlock Street.

Nov. 9

Police logged three incidents, including the following:

Fraud — A counterfeit bill was forwarded to the Secret Service.

Disturbance — Two subjects were referred for domestic abuse-related disorderly conduct after a disturbance on Brent Street.

Nov. 8

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Officers responded for an intoxicated subject on West Madison Street.

OWI — A 20-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Main Street and Campus Drive.

Disturbance — Police responded to a family disturbance on Garfield Avenue.

Nov. 7

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at Main and Seventh streets.

Fraud — A worthless check was reported on West Greentree Road.

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported on West Greentree Road.

Harassment — Harassment was reported on 14th Street.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Nov. 9

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at Lincoln and Randall streets.

Warrant — A 52-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 1200 block of South Main Street.

Shoplifting — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Disturbance — A 27-year-old Shawano man was taken into custody for a probation and parole violation after police responded to a fight in the 700 block of West Richmond Street.

Nov. 8

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Washington Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of South Franklin Street.

Shoplifting — Qualheim’s True Value, 1345 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Shoplifting — JC Penney, 128 Woodlawn Drive, reported a shoplifting incident.

Arrest — A 36-year-old Shawano woman was arrested for a restraining order violation after a complaint in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 400 block of South Washington Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Nov. 7

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — An attempted burglary was reported in the 300 block of West Richmond Street.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Elizabeth and Main streets.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Green Bay and Main streets.

Juvenile — Police logged a truancy complaint from Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 100 block of East Randall Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Nov. 9

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A woman was taken into custody on a warrant on County Road Y in Belle Plaine.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Westgor Avenue in Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to an intoxicated person complaint on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities logged 20 deer-related crashes.

Nov. 8

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on Willow Creek Road in the town of Herman.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Park Avenue in Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person vehicle complaint on Old Lake Road in Wescott.

Hit and Run — A 33-year-old Keshena man was cited for operating after revocation after a property damage hit-and-run on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Shoplifting — Deputies assisted Shawano police with a shoplifting incident at JC Penney, 128 Woodlawn Drive.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Golfview Road in Cecil.

Accidents — Authorities logged 11 deer-related crashes.

Nov. 7

Deputies logged 54 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on state Highway 29 in the town of Herman.

Assault — A sexual assault in Green Valley was under investigation.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Peach Road in Richmond.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Cattau Beach Drive in Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Cypress Road in Richmond.

OWI — A 51-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after an accident on Hillcrest Drive in the town of Washington.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lessor-Navarino Road in Lessor.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person vehicle complaint on Mader Street in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged 15 deer-related crashes.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

City considering adding detective to PDBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawano’s 2015 tax levy would be relatively unchanged from this year under the proposed city budget that will get a public hearing later this month.

The tax levy as proposed would remain stagnant at roughly $4.5 million, according to the budget summary.

This year’s tax levy went up roughly 1.52 percent from $4.43 million in 2013. The tax rate rose to about $8.77 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2014; a 16-cent increase over 2013.

The impact on the 2015 tax rate was still being calculated Friday.

The city will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.

One of the things that has been under discussion, according to City Administrator Brian Knapp, is adding a detective position to the Shawano Police Department. The department has no detectives.

Woody Davis, Common Council president and Finance Committee chairman, said there hasn’t yet been a vote on whether to add a detective position.

The department will, however, have a vacancy to fill among its police officers next year, with Officer Adam Bieber’s election Tuesday as Shawano County sheriff.

The budget has gone through the Finance Committee but has not yet been seen by the full Common Council, so changes could still be made.

“Every year there are things we have to decide on, and we try to get the budget down to where we won’t have to raise taxes much at all,” Davis said.

Total revenues and expenditures for next year are projected to be unchanged from 2014 at $6.6 million.

Projections for state revenue are in line with what the city received this year, according to city officials, and there will be no increase in insurance rates for 2015.

Also still being calculated is the total tax levy and rate with all other taxing entities included — the county, state, school district and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

This year, property owners paid a total tax rate of $24.63 per $1,000 of assessed valuation compared to about $24.10 per $1,000 last year.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Nov. 6

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

OAR — A 41-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation at Lincoln and Richmond streets.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Industrial Drive and County Road B.

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint at CoVantage Credit Union, 911 E. Green Bay St.

Warrant — A 31-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Theft — Luigi’s, 607 S. Main St., reported a customer left without paying.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 200 block of North Bartlett Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Nov. 6

Deputies logged 59 incidents, including the following:

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Lake Drive in the town of Herman.

Theft — A push mower was reported stolen on County Road Y in Belle Plaine.

Theft — Scrap metal was reported stolen on Elm Road in Angelica.

Theft — Diamond rings were reported stolen on Walker Street in Wittenberg.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Main Street in Birnamwood.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault at Birnamwood Elementary-Middle School, 337 Main St., Birnamwood.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Valley Road in Hartland.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.

Accidents — Authorities logged 14 deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Nov. 6

Police logged four incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded for a disruptive student at Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School, 105 S. Clinton Ave.

Theft — A theft was reported on Main Street.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Owners cooperating with city on changesBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Owners of the Wisconsin House have reached a deal with the city to avert court proceedings by making renovations and working more closely with police.

The city of Shawano took the hotel at 216 E. Green Bay St. to court over what officials say are public nuisances created by the establishment.

The city filed an affidavit in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court last month asking that property owners Keith and Jenifer Block, of Wrightstown, be ordered to “abate the public nuisance.”

An injunction hearing on the matter that had been set for Thursday was called off after both sides reached an agreement that lays out a long list of conditions for the hotel to meet.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said the Blocks took the initiative of wanting to work with the city to correct the problems.

“They want to do well for the city and their tenants and the community,” Kohl said.

Kohl said the Blocks many times were unaware of the incidents occurring at the hotel.

Police Department records show more than 90 law enforcement calls to the establishment since the beginning of the year, including medical emergencies, disturbances, theft, warrant enforcement, disorderly conduct and drug activity.

The agreement calls for an on-site manager to live at the hotel, with duties that include patrolling the interior of the building and reporting any illegal activity that might be going on.

The agreement also calls for the hotel to provide police with a list of tenants’ names and room numbers every 30 days.

Kohl said the latter stipulation has already been occurring, and tenants are aware of the condition when they take a room at the hotel.

Kohl said he will assign a liaison officer to the Wisconsin House who would have “a unique and intimate knowledge of its operations.”

The Blocks have also agreed to numerous renovations and repairs to improve the property’s exterior and interior. The outside will also get a new coat of paint and more “aesthetically pleasing” signage, according to the agreement.

Clutter that can be seen through the hotel’s front window, where a defunct thrift shop used to be, will be removed. The space will be used for storage but must be blocked from public view.

The cleanup and physical improvements will be done in stages, with deadlines in 30 and 60 days for some. All work is to be finished by July 31.

The city still holds the right to take further legal action, including seeking a court order to raze the building, if the hotel continues to be a public nuisance, but Kohl said that option was unlikely given the cooperation being shown by the owners.

“Our intent is not to come down on them, but to work with them,” he said. “I don’t perceive ever going down that path.”

Kohl said the city and the Blocks share the ultimate goal of making the Wisconsin House “a more inviting part of the community.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Klett is keynote speaker at chamber luncheonBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt State tourism secretary Stephanie Klett was the keynote speaker at a Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce fall luncheon Thursday at the Menominee Casino and Resort.

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett discussed challenges facing the tourism industry and praised local efforts Thursday at the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce fall luncheon.

Klett told local about 100 business and community leaders gathered at the Menominee Casino and Resort that Wisconsin has stiff competition for tourism dollars from neighboring states.

Wisconsin has a $12.5 million tourism budget, she said, compared to Illinois’ $54 million and Michigan’s $33 million.

“We have to be extremely effective with our money,” Klett said.

Additionally, she said the state department of tourism is small compared to other state agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources. The tourism department employs 30 people compared to 4,000 at the DNR, she said.

Before becoming tourism secretary, Klett, a former Miss Wisconsin, was perhaps best known as host of the Discover Wisconsin television and radio series.

“Promoting Wisconsin has been something Stephanie has been doing her entire adult life,” said Nancy Smith, the chamber’s executive director. “She has walked more than 1 million miles across all 72 counties during her 20-year career as host of Discover Wisconsin.”

When Klett, a former Miss Wisconsin, took the tourism job in 2011, relied on that background to dive into her new job.

“It was all Wisconsin, all the time, but I felt very blessed because on the first day I was up to speed,” Klett said.

One of her first tasks was overhauling the state’s marketing efforts, which included doing away with the state’s traditional slogan-based advertising campaigns.

She has also recruited celebrities with Wisconsin ties, such as actor and Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub, “Happy Days” star Henry Winkler and film producer Jerry Zucker, to help promote state tourism.

Zucker’s efforts led to a reunion of actors in his 1980 film “Airplane,” Robert Hays and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for a series of humorous commercials.

Zucker also worked with Hayes on a commercial called “The Lake,” in which Hayes plays a fisherman struggling to snag a musky in the northwoods. It became an instant hit with viewers, Klett said.

The mission was to create “commercials that are called fun,” she said.

Klett said the tourism department has identified three main reasons people want to travel to specific destinations: fun, rest and relaxation, and visiting family and friends.

“That fun can be gaming, fishing, hiking, shopping,” Klett said.

Klett also talked of the Shawano County’s attractions, including Shawano Lake, the area’s rich tribal history and the barn quilts project.

“And, for the first time ever, I got to go to Nueske’s and I torched a ham,” Klett said.

She also praised Wittenberg’s revitalization effort emphasizing the arts.

“The Walls of Wittenberg are so beautiful,” she said. “A small town facing some challenges, deciding to bring in the arts community and get the thing going.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Neopit man at large since Oct. 13By: 

Leader Staff

An arrest warrant has been filed for the suspect in a domestic violence incident in Neopit last month who subsequently led authorities on a high-speed chase through Shawano County and into Brown County.

David R. Teller, 26, of Neopit, was charged in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Wednesday with a felony count of attempting to flee from an officer in a vehicle. He could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Menominee Tribal Police alerted Shawano County authorities Oct. 13 that Teller left the scene of a domestic incident and was headed southbound on state Highway 47-55.

He was later spotted by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies on state Highway 29 and fled from an attempted traffic stop, according to authorities. The ensuing 14-mile chase reached speeds upward of 100 mph.

The pursuit entered Brown County, continuing onto southbound U.S. Highway 41 and then onto West Mason Street in Green Bay. The car was found abandoned in an apartment parking lot on Badger Street on Green Bay’s west side.

Brown County deputies and Green Bay police officers assisted the Shawano County deputy at the apartment complex but couldn’t find the suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 5

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.

Theft — Shawano City-County Library, 128 S. Sawyer St., reported two thefts related to unreturned library materials.

Burglary — A break-in at the Shawano County Fair office, 990 E. Green Bay St., was under investigation.

Arrest — A 21-year-old man was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of East Fifth Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 5

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Robin Road in Wittenberg.

Warrant — A 29-year-old man wanted on a Shawano police warrant was arrested on Hiawatha Court in Wescott.

Warrant — A 29-year-old woman wanted on a Shawano police warrant was arrested on Swan Street in Shawano.

Vandalism — A mailbox was reported vandalized on County Road S in Angelica.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on County Road T in Waukechon.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Accidents — Authorities logged 10 deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 5

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Accident — Accident report completed for a two-vehicle property damage accident that occurred in a South Clinton Avenue parking lot.

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported on Wilson Street.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Burglary

A 43-year-old Appleton man has been charged with breaking into the Shawano Cinema in November 2013 and stealing nearly $5,000 in cash.

Fred W. Olson could a face maximum 12½ years in prison and a $25,000 fine on a felony count of burglary, as well as six years and a $10,000 fine on each of three felony counts of bail jumping and 3½ years and a $10,000 fine for felony theft if found guilty.

Olson is accused breaking into the cinema with another man not yet charged Nov. 2, 2013, and making off with a safe.

According to the criminal complaint, Olson was arrested in connection with another burglary and admitted to Oshkosh police his part in numerous burglaries, including the one at Shawano Cinema.

The complaint states Olson confessed to burglaries in Oshkosh, Neenah, Appleton, Grand Chute Hartford, West Bend and Fond du Lac. A number of the burglaries involved cinemas.

Olson is due in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Nov. 25. He is also facing burglary charges in Outagamie, Washington and Winnebago counties.

Possession of methamphetamine

Two people are facing felony possession of methamphetamine charges after Shawano County sheriff’s deputies allegedly discovered the drug in their car while checking on a suspicious vehicle in the town of Wittenberg last month.

Nicholas R. Larsen, 33, of Deerbrook, and Christine N. Remsburg, 24, of White Lake, were in a vehicle in a closed park around 11 p.m. Oct. 1.

Deputies checking up on the vehicle found both under the influence of drugs, according to the complaint. A K-9 sniff of the vehicle and search located meth and various drug paraphernalia, according to the criminal complaint.

Larsen and Remsburg could each face a maximum possible penalty of 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty.

Larsen was freed on a $2,500 signature bond and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Dec. 16.

Remsburg is scheduled for an initial court appearance Nov. 24.

Strangulation

A Pulaski man is facing a felony count of strangulation and suffocation in connection with an alleged domestic abuse incident Sunday in the town of Maple Grove.

Jeremy A. Hungerford, 30, could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of domestic abuse-related disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, a verbal dispute turned physical when Hungerford allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck and choked her, leaving marks on her neck.

The woman and the child were able to get out of the residence and lock themselves in a car until sheriff’s deputies arrived, according to the complaint.

Hungerford was ordered held on a $2,000 cash bond after an appearance before Judge William Kussel Jr. He is due in court for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Local turnout much higher than state averageBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Hard numbers are still being calculated countywide, but there is no question, according to officials, that voter turnout for Tuesday’s midterm election was unusually high.

The county also had a high number of new voters who registered Tuesday.

According to Shawano County Clerk Rosemary Rueckert, between 800 and 1,000 voter registrations were filled out Tuesday, though that might include some name changes, address changes and new residents, she said.

“We did have a lot of young people voting for the first time,” Rueckert said.

Rueckert said about 2,000 more people voted in the governor’s race Tuesday than voted in the governor’s race in 2010. A total of 16,816 votes were cast for governor Tuesday.

However, Rueckert said, 506 people who cast ballots for Shawano County sheriff Tuesday did not cast any votes in the governor’s race.

The Board of Canvass will meet Thursday to certify the election results, but at this point, Rueckert estimated the countywide turnout at 67 percent of registered voters.

The city of Shawano reported 73 percent turnout, just shy of the 2012 presidential election when turnout was 76 percent.

The last midterm in 2010, which also included the governor’s race, brought out 52 percent of registered voters in the city.

The city also saw a high number of new voters registering for the first time, but an exact number was not available Wednesday.

The Associated Press was reporting Wednesday that figures from the Government Accountability Board put statewide turnout Tuesday at 54.5 percent of voting-age adults. However, that number could include adults who have not registered.

According to the GAB, the previous high for midterm election was 52.4 percent of voting-age adults in 1962.

Things went relatively smoothly Tuesday given the high turnout and the complication of a write-in candidate for sheriff.

Rueckert said one municipality ran short of ballots for a time.

Also, the village of Bonduel didn’t file its results with the county until 12:40 a.m. Wednesday; the last municipality to report.

Rueckert said election officials there were scrupulously analyzing write-in ballots in the sheriff’s race — including some that were misspelled or included only the candidate’s first name — to ensure they were valid.

The final vote tally was still waiting on results from Bonduel when the Leader went to press Tuesday night.

Shawano Police Officer Adam Bieber, the Republican candidate, easily won the sheriff’s election over Independent challenger Lucas Christenson and incumbent Randy Wright, who waged a write-in campaign.

Unofficial numbers reported Wednesday and being certified Thursday by the Board of Canvass were:

Bieber - 9,738

Wright - 5,199

Christenson - 1,373

The heavy pace of voter turnout and the write-in campaign made for a long and hectic day for poll workers.

“I want to thank each and every election worker, inspector and clerk,” Rueckert said. “They did an outstanding job and followed the rules as best they could.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet